The widow of PC Andrew Harper has expressed fury after the Prime Minister delayed plans to stop early prison releases, meaning the men who killed her husband in the line of duty will be freed.
Lissie Harper said she is “beyond appalled and bristling with anger” at the news, calling the decision “an affront to justice” and “an utter betrayal.”
PM delays early release changes
Andy Burnham has confirmed that rape, serious child sex offences, and grooming will be excluded from upcoming cuts to prison sentences. However, his initial plan to stop early releases in September has been delayed by a month.
Mr Burnham said he “wanted to go even further,” but that was not possible without the prison system collapsing and putting the public “at much greater risk.” He assured the public that offenders will face tighter community supervision, including new GPS monitoring for rapists to restrict movements.
PM's statement
Announcing the changes, the Prime Minister said: “Keeping the public safe is my top priority. That’s why I asked for an urgent review of the prisoner release scheme. I fully understand the anger, anxiety and distress that’s been caused. I’ve heard that loud and clear.”
“That’s why we’re making significant changes: offenders who have been sentenced for rape, serious child sex offences and other grooming offences will be excluded from the changes. I want to be honest – I wanted to go even further as I know there will still be concerns about other offenders having their sentence shortened.”
“But it’s not possible without the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing, which would put public safety at much greater risk. That’s why we will also be introducing much tougher community measures.”
“There will be a presumption that all offenders are tagged, longer periods of supervision and tough new rules, including restriction zones for offenders.”
Criticism from police and victims
Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg said the decision not to exclude PC Harper's killers is “demoralising for all police officers.”
Lissie Harper said: “This is disgusting. I am beyond appalled and bristling with anger to hear that Andrew’s killers are soon to be free to roam the streets.”
“What abhorrent message does this send? How dare ministers say the killing of a police officer is not enough of a ‘sickening crime’ that deserves the stiffest of punishments?”
“The level of disrespect the Government is showing to Andrew and other victims – and to their loved ones such as me – is beyond contempt.”
The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Claire Waxman, said early release plans have “been a source of shock, distress and uncertainty for victims” and that many have been let down by “poor communication.”
On the new exclusions, she said: “While this will be well received by some victims, most will not fall within those categories, and exclusions alone cannot guarantee victim or public safety.”
“Effective risk management, meaningful licence conditions, proper supervision and timely, trauma-informed communication and support remain critical.”
Sentencing changes and prison building
Under changes in the Sentencing Act, some 6,000 offenders were set to be let out of prison in September after serving a third of their sentence – rather than half – in a bid to ease prison overcrowding. Prisoners serving longer sentences of four years or more would be eligible for release at the halfway point of their term, rather than at two-thirds as had previously been the case.
The changes also introduce a new progression model which will end automatic release for badly behaved offenders. Those who break the rules or are violent behind bars face spending 100% of their sentence locked up.
The Government has said that, after listening to victims’ concerns, rapists and child sexual offenders will not be eligible for the sentencing changes. These will be added to the exclusions already in place for 18,000 offenders, including those who have been found by a court to be the most dangerous or anyone serving a life sentence.
Mr Burnham added that the Government will deliver “the fastest prison building programme since the Victorian era,” aiming to create 14,000 new prison places by 2031.
